Dar seeks ‘stable relationship’ with US in meeting with Rubio

ISLAMABAD:

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar told US Secretary of State Marco Rubio that Pakistan sought an “expanded and stable” bilateral relationship with Washington, highlighting the “strong convergences” between the two sides on several issues.

Dar held talks with Rubio in Washington in their first face-to-face meeting at the State Department, following several telephonic conversations.

A statement issued by the Foreign Office said that upon his arrival at the State Department, Dar was received by senior US officials. Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States Rizwan Saeed Sheikh accompanied him during the visit. Senior officials from both sides also joined the delegation-level talks.

The discussions focused on bilateral relations and prospects for cooperation across multiple sectors, including trade, investment, agriculture, technology, and minerals.

Both sides reviewed the progress in the ongoing Pakistan-US trade dialogue, expressing optimism over positive developments. Dar highlighted Pakistan as an attractive destination for US businesses and investors.

On regional security, the leaders discussed counterterrorism cooperation and broader peace efforts. Dar lauded President Donald Trump and the US leadership for their efforts to promote global peace, particularly appreciating the President’s role amid recent Pakistan-India tensions.

Secretary Rubio acknowledged Pakistan’s sacrifices in the fight against terrorism and appreciated its positive role in promoting regional and global peace.

Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s desire for expanded and stable bilateral relations, underscoring that there is a strong convergence of views and shared interests between the two countries on regional peace and stability. He also appreciated the role of the Pakistani-American community as a “bridge” between the two nations.

Both leaders reiterated their commitment to further strengthen bilateral ties and enhance institutional cooperation in diverse sectors, expressing determination to work together for long-term stability and prosperity.

This marked the first formal meeting at the foreign minister level between Pakistan and the United States in several years, as the previous administration under president Joe Biden had largely ignored Islamabad.

The meeting between Dar and Rubio came against the backdrop of a renewed push by both sides to reset their ties, which have often been marred by mistrust. Contrary to expectations, under President Trump’s second term, relations between the two countries took a positive turn.

It was Pakistan’s assistance in arresting and extraditing one of the masterminds of the Kabul Airport attack in August 2021 that led to the reset in ties with the US. President Trump publicly praised Pakistan’s efforts in his first address to the US Congress.

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The India-Pakistan conflict also brought the two countries closer, as Trump repeatedly took credit for brokering the ceasefire between the two South Asian rivals.

Then, amid the Iran-Israel war, President Trump hosted Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir at the White House in an unprecedented move that raised eyebrows in New Delhi.

Following the army chief’s meeting at the White House, there have been increased contacts between the two countries. The meeting in Washington on Friday was seen as Pakistan’s push to revive the structured mechanism between the two countries.